Rembang, May 31, 2025 – The Publikarya 2025 Competition initiated by the Department of Research & Socio-Politics (Risospol) of the Student Association of Public Administration Study Program Rembang (HMPS APR) Diponegoro University (Undip), held at the Rembang Regency DPRD Building last Saturday, was not just an ordinary competition event. This event was born from a strong belief that a work program can be considered successful if it can make a real impact on society. This motivation became the driving force for Dzilaalin Arsyuh, a member of the Department of Research & Socio-Politics (Risospol), who also served as the chief executive of Publikarya 2025.

“First of all, they say that a work program is considered good and successful if it has an impact on society. So, from there I had what you might call motivation. What could possibly have an impact on the city that is currently the place where I am pursuing my education,” said Dzila when interviewed on Saturday (31/05).

This event was designed as a stage for young people to voice their concerns and solutions to critical issues. By raising the theme “Pancasila Youth Generation: A Critical Attitude Toward the Loss of Pancasila Ethics Among the Young Generation.” Not halfway in execution, two prestigious competitions were prepared: the Scientific Writing Competition (LKTI) and the Debate Competition. The choice of these two competitions was not without reason. The LKTI was deliberately opened at the national level, allowing participation from all corners of Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke. The aim is clear: to attract the best ideas from across the archipelago. Meanwhile, the debate competition focused specifically on high school/vocational students from the Rembang Regency area. The hope is that by raising local issues in the debate, this event can directly have a positive impact on communities living around the Undip Rembang environment, sparking discussion and concrete solutions for problems in this city.

A moment of Publikarya 2025 debate competition participants presenting their ideas

A tense yet enthusiastic atmosphere filled the Rembang Regency DPRD Building yesterday, as the Publikarya 2025 debate competition entered its main event. After being opened by an energetic MC, attention was immediately drawn to the six representative teams from Rembang high schools/vocational schools ready to clash in arguments. They were teams from SMA Negeri 1 Rembang, SMA Negeri 1 Lasem, SMA Negeri 1 Sulang, SMK Annuroniyah, and MAN 1 Rembang.

The moderator then explained the technical details of the competition, ensuring each participant understood the battlefield of ideas they would face. As the main session began, the competitive aura thickened. The pro and contra teams launched arguments across the debate table. Initially calm, but over time, the situation grew more heated and intense. Each team demonstrated their critical thinking skills, throwing rebuttals and strengthening positions with sharp data and logic.

Publikarya 2025 debate competition winners

Tension peaked as the Publikarya 2025 debate competition entered the final round. The competitive atmosphere grew more gripping, presenting a stunning battle of arguments between SMA Negeri 1 Lasem and SMA Negeri 1 Sulang. Both teams displayed sharp debate abilities, exchanging critical arguments and verbal strategies. After an intense battle of ideas, the winner announcement was delivered, marking the end of the debate session. SMA Negeri 1 Sulang finally succeeded in winning First Place in the Publikarya 2025 Debate Competition.

SMA Negeri 1 Sulang’s victory in the Publikarya 2025 Debate Competition was not achieved without a mature strategy. According to the team’s supervising teacher, their key to success lay in a disciplined and tactical approach in each debate session.

“Again and again I reminded them, don’t forget the keywords, don’t deviate from the keywords,” said the supervising teacher when interviewed on Saturday (31/05).

Not only that, another visible strategy was the emphasis on solutions, which became a crucial element. “Lastly, don’t forget the solution must be there. If you only criticize without offering a solution, it’s pointless,” the teacher concluded.

Furthermore, members of the SMA Negeri 1 Lasem team also shared their feelings after achieving second place in their first debate competition experience. With a sense of gratitude, one of the team members said, “Alhamdulillah, we’re very happy because this feels like our first experience joining a debate competition, and we could feel directly how the debate dynamics are.”

Regarding the key strategy they applied, the team emphasized three main things. “First and most important is self-confidence, thorough preparation even though we only prepared for two days, and then prayer from our parents and also from our teachers,” they said when interviewed on Saturday (31/05).

This year’s Publikarya showed a contrast compared to previous editions. Head of the Risospol Department of HMPS APR Undip 2025, Aris Umbarwanto, explained that while last year’s discussions were more general, this year’s Publikarya specifically aims to identify and support the achievement-oriented climate in Rembang Regency, especially among the younger generation.

“The difference in this year’s Publikarya compared to last year is in the focus of the discussion. This year, Publikarya is focused on identifying and supporting the achievement-oriented climate in Rembang Regency. Mainly, it’s the younger generation — the focus is on the application of Pancasila as an ideology that can be implemented in daily life by young people who in the future can bring progress,” concluded Aris when interviewed on Saturday (31/05).